TBT: Creating history one year ago

TBT: AFLW LicenceToday marks 1 year since the Brisbane Lions were awarded an inaugural AFLW licence. Relive the moment we were announced alongside 7 other teams to compete in the first AFLW competition.

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Exactly one year ago to the day, the Brisbane Lions played a part in creating history.

“Our game will never be the same,” AFL Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick announced when he unveiled the clubs that would contest the inaugural AFL Women’s season to a packed media scrum, and his statement proved spot-on.

“The concept of a national competition has been put together in a short space of time, but this day has been a long time coming.”

The Lions first signalled their intentions to bid for an AFLW’s license on December 18. 2015, and then, along with seven other clubs, they were granted a license for the 2017 AFLW’s season on June 15, 2016.

Lions Chief Executive Greg Swann said on the day that winning an inaugural licence for the AFLW's season was a tremendous outcome.

“We are incredibly proud to be part of such a huge day in footy history,” Swann said.

“Women play a massive role in our code, and across our State — we saw it as an absolute must that our club have a women’s team from the start.

“There is so much talent across Queensland, we are really excited to get to work on developing a team that will do us proud in this great new national competition.”

The successful bid was based around the theme of “GAME CHANGER”, focused on how the Club’s commitment to a women’s team would change the face of women’s sport across the state and nation.

A change did indeed happen, with foundation memberships selling out and amazing support following the Lions throughout their debut season.